More students may return to campus at Danish universities

A majority in the Danish Parliament has agreed to further reopen the country, including universities.

From 6 May, higher education institutions in the capital city, including the University of Copenhagen, may have a 30 per cent in-person attendance among students. On 21 May this percentage will be increased to 50 per cent.

The agreement also stipulates that study programmes which can use outdoor areas for teaching can already start teaching 6 May.

Student organisations have criticised the government over the last few weeks for neglecting higher education programmes. Compared to other parts of the education system, the oldest students are still at the back of the queue, even in the new agreement.

All primary school students are able to return to classrooms on 6 May, and from 21 May this goes for youth and adult education programmes.

Kevin Olesen, Chairperson of the Student Council at the University of Copenhagen, is himself going into an exam preparation period mid-May, before the reopening on the 21st. And the same applies to many of his fellow students. He criticises politicians for not opening fast enough.

»It is disappointing that they are not using this opportunity to get students back to classes for a couple of weeks before we go are off for exam preparation anyway,« says Kevin Olesen.

He adds that he is pleased, however, that students are able to do their reading at university. The University of Copenhagen has announced that the campus – reading rooms, group rooms, communal areas and libraries – are open for all students as from 5 May.

At the same time, staff at the university can begin to look forward to a return to the office. The political parties in the agreement write that they will work towards a »gradual normalisation of physical attendance at workplaces« from 21 May 2021.